Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is crucial for residents and visitors of Valsamata, Greece, a region known for its beautiful Mediterranean climate. With UV levels soaring as high as 10 during midday, awareness of these levels can significantly aid in sunburn prevention and maintaining overall skin health. As the sun's intensity fluctuates throughout the day, recognizing when to seek shade or apply sunscreen is vital to safeguarding against the harmful effects of UV radiation, especially in the warm Csa climate typical of this area. By staying informed about the UV Index, you can enjoy the sun while protecting your skin from its potential dangers.
As the sun rises, the UV Index begins to climb, starting at a gentle 1 at 7:00 AM and remaining steady through 8:00 AM. By 9:00 AM, it nudges up to 2, but as the day progresses, the intensity skyrockets. At 10:00 AM, it hits 4, and by midday, the UV Index soars to a peak of 10 at both 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM—a clear indication to seek shade and wear sunscreen. After this peak, it gradually dips to 9 by 3:00 PM, continuing its descent to 5 at 5:00 PM, and finally, the UV levels soften to 1 as evening falls at 7:00 PM. This day exemplifies the sun's potent rays, reminding us to stay vigilant during those peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
As the seasons change, so do the UV Index levels, indicating variations in sun exposure risk. January and February have a moderate UV Index of 3 and 4, leading to a burn time of about 30 minutes. Things ramp up in March with a high UV Index of 6 (25-minute burn time), followed by the critically elevated levels of 8 to 10 from April through August, where burn times shrink to just 15 minutes. September marks a slight decrease to 8, while October sees a return to high levels at 6, before falling back to moderate in November and December. Visitors and residents should be particularly cautious during the high-risk months of April through August, applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours to minimize sun damage. Regular checks of daily UV levels are advised to stay informed and safe.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thessaloniki UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Larisa UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Valsamata | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Patra UVI | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Piraeus UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Athens UVI | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |